Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, a program of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, is bringing back Arts Integration Week, a five-day series of professional development workshops and classroom/family experiences Mon., Jan. 26-Fri., Jan. 30. The week culminates with “Wintertime Wiggles & Giggles: Exploring the Season Through the Arts,” a special family and early childhood classroom event that takes children on a whimsical adventure around the world, exploring what winter looks like in different climates (three offerings available).
All workshops and the “Wintertime Wiggles & Giggles” presentations are free and hosted virtually. Educators, families, and classrooms can register at wolftrap.org/stories/arts-integration-week.
“Arts integration is a powerful tool educators can use to enhance their classroom’s learning experience and achieve early learning objectives,” said Jennifer Edelen, Director of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. “Our goal with Arts Integration Week is to celebrate early childhood educators and equip them with lasting skills that will resonate in their professional practice for years to come.”
“Our special classroom and family event, ‘Wintertime Wiggles and Giggles,’ provides families, educators, and young children an opportunity to enjoy the arts together and learn more about the natural world.”
All workshops are conducted by Wolf Trap Teaching Artists and feature music, movement, and storytelling strategies that promote learning and engagement for young children. Attendees are encouraged to register early for individual sessions. This year’s workshop offerings include:
For early childhood educators:
Mon., Jan. 26 | 5-6 PM ET
"Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Using Movement Strategies to Teach Across the Curriculum," with Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Kimberli Boyd
Experience the power of applying movement fundamentals by integrating the "BEST" movement elements of "body," "space," and "time" into your lessons. Explore strategies that engage children and bring learning to life!
Tues., Jan. 27 | 6-7 PM ET
"Looking for Musical Clues: Uncovering the Hidden Music in Favorite Stories," with Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Christina Farrell
Uncover the hidden music in your favorite stories! Explore arts strategies for adapting text from a book to include musical elements; practice simple techniques for using rhythm and melody to engage young children in storytelling. Create a child-led music experience based on a favorite story!
Wed., Jan. 28 | 7-8 PM ET
"Learning Through Movement for Infants & Toddlers," with Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Krissie Marty
Explore arts-integrated motor experiences that can be adapted for families and children from the prenatal period through young childhood. Try out movement strategies that support the healthy growth and development of children of all abilities and comfort levels.
For families and early childhood classrooms:
Thurs., January 29–Fri., Jan. 30
(specific dates/times listed below)
“Wintertime Wiggles & Giggles: Exploring the Season Through the Arts,” with Wolf Trap Teaching Artists Lesina Martin, Alden Phelps, and Penny Russell
Embark on an imaginary journey across the United States to learn how people, animals, plants, (and puppets!) experience winter in different climates and communities. Children will sing, dance, and play with Wolf Trap Teaching Artists, and special guest, Jasper the Squirrel. This event is designed for children ages 3-6, but will include something for everyone!
Thursday, January 29 | 6:30-7 PM ET Register
Friday, January 30 | 9:30-10 AM ET Register
Friday, January 30 | 12-12:30 PM ET Register
Wolf Trap Institute delivers customized, in-class professional development to early childhood educators using proven, arts-based strategies that reach across curricula and support development in key areas like language, literacy, math, science, and social-emotional learning. Through Wolf Trap’s education programs, including the work of the Institute and its affiliates, Wolf Trap serves more than 100,000 children, families, and educators each year.
For more information about Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, visit wolftrap.org/education.
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by the Wolf Trap Foundation year-round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for early career opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized Internship and Apprenticeship Program.